Foretravel Owners' Forum

Anyone seen/use these?

BlueFire Store. BlueFire Store (https://bluefire-llc.com/store/)

Long thread about them over on the IRV2 forum.

Thanks - Am reading the thread.  Up to page 6.  Sounds interesting. 

Does it support retarder temperature?

After reading all 17 pages, I do not recall seeing Retarder Temp.  It is supposed to capture all engine data but appears to not include:  HP, Torque and a few others that I look at often.

Would be interesting to get Roger's take on this????

Roger - Are you out there.  I need HELP.  :D

HP & torque are not engine data bus items, they're calculated by VMSPC using a combination of data values like RPM and engine specific power curves.  The VMSPC numbers are estimations of HP & torque.  If BlueFire can't do that, maybe they can add that to the app.

I am here.  I have not looked at this.  The J1939 and J1708 data busses are standard.  There are lots of devices that can read and interpret this data.  Beyond that what gets done with the data, how it gets displayed, what the user interface looks like, what kind of support is there and much more is what really is important. 

I will take a look.  Cheap is rarely better. 

Non-starter in my mind considering that silver-leaf gives away the data reading software. And we have one of our own (Roger) that does all the programing for us and whom we should support. I believe that part of that VMSPC purchase is donated to the forum.

I am just interested the the differences between the Silverleaf product and this other brand, and see if others had seen/used it.

Thanks for this thread. I wasn't aware of BlueFire.

Just read all 17 pages of the" VMSpc Replacement Thread" on IRV2.

I'll be ordering it as soon as I'm in one place long enough to get delivery.

I'm with Scott reply #8  Interesting. I would like to have more info

Here is the link for more info:

VMSPC replacement option - iRV2 Forums (http://www.irv2.com/forums/f103/vmspc-replacement-option-425748.html)

Hopefully you can give us some feedback and/or answer a couple of questions after you get settled.  😊

If you do not have the most current release of Windows 10 this will not run.  Not on XP.  Not on Windows 7.  Not on any Windows 10 PC that is not at the current release.  you can't even download it.

The early complainer on iRV2 says he is using a serial port connection to a PC.  In the last 7 years using VMSpc I have never seen one.  So he is using very old hardware, probably very old VMSpc.  And the screen he posted looks pretty unrefined.

I downloaded this onto an iPad.  Very touchy to use.  It would take a long time to put together a useful screen. Setting parameters, warning levels and other features didn't look simple.

Someone said they downloaded it on their phone.  Really, are you going to watch all of your data on a phone?

When you get something useful done let us see it. 

As I get older I realize I am old school and as long as my VMSPC works on my ACER notebook running on Windows 7, I see no need to replace it.

My Dad always said, " if it isn't broken don't fix it."  Now I understand.................... ;)

Thanks Roger for you input.  ^.^d

I don't mind new tech. But, As a young lady from Austria said to me recently. Why is it that American's are so quick to throw out something that works (VMSpc in this case) for something that's new that does the same thing as the old thing did.

   I downloaded the free software and played around with it in demo mode.
    Made up a dash fairly quickly but don't know if I will give up the VMSpc yet
    One advantage is that it will run on Android, iOS and Windows 10 devices according to the website.
    Maybe good to have an alternative as has been said before--Do What Makes You Happy..

I did see on the IRV2 topic that one guy had a Dash he made with "AIR" psi for his ride height.. wondering how we can get that to read? Is it possible?.. That would kinda complete the VMSpc I think

I have no issues with my VMSpc and I really like the info given... I have not ventured into making new dashes or playing with it sense I bought it from Rodger.. He has been a great help!! Worth it to me..

The next release of VMSpc will have "radial" gauges as they call them.  I have a pre-release copy and have adjusted screens to use some of them.  For me they take up a lot of space for each gauge which results in less total information.

My thinking has always been that you want to be watching the road and your surroundings, not looking at a computer screen.  With numeric values for critical readings and easily adjustable indicator lights a quick glance, all green and you are good to go.  A yellow light catches your eye quickly. 

Someone will get one of these and try it out, you should be able to return it for 30 days if it doesn't work out.  If any Silverleaf hardware JIB or cable has a problem you will get a new one from me as long as you own it.  And lifetime support from me.  ASUS tablets have a 1 yr warranty and the Intel NUC PCs are 5 years.

Air pressure is not reported on on the data busses we have so there is nothing to show. Silverleaf uses additional analog and digital inputs on their glass dash installs to show these. Since the BlueFire gets data from the same sources, it is unlikely they are showing ride height air pressure, certainly not on our coaches. It is possible that some manufacturer added transducers to report it but it not typical and it is not on the FTs most of us have.

I have attached a document that shows what J1939 data is possible (41 pages of them).  Most of it is not on our motothomes.

This is one of my standard screens in a final test before shipping a kit, hooked up to a real coach.

Just read the IRV site info and see no need to change from my VMSP as I get all the info from it I need and am used to how it looks etc. I am using the very early edition of it  and have no problems on my dedicated Toshiba netbook. I also do not like the round gauges as it takes a LOT longer to see the reading while driving (I would guess) than the little box with  numerals in them. I tried a quick read out on the sample screen one of them  provided and it took more than twice as long to run my eyes thru the screen to get readings than what I and am sure others have as screen So to me that is an important issue while driving.
I am sure I should download the latest VM  program for a better smoother set up but  as I am no expert on computer stuff I will leave best alone (unless someone like Roger is able to guide me thru it )
I would buy thru him should I ever need to change my system/computer etc as having a knowledgeable human on this system is worth a lot in saving time and frustration.
Disclaimer. I have no financial interests in his business,but he seems a straight shooter!!! (that should be worth something?)
JohnH

I sat in a live f18 cockpit long ago. All the analog round gauges had red needles that if everything was ok all the needles pointed straight up.  Adverted vision showed them without looking down.

Translating the digits takes a split second extra.

Std Foretravel dash vdo's on our 97 are across the dash panels top edge and adverted vision works pretty well.  Better if they had red needles but.....

Sorry I asked the question.  👍

Glad I have the older engine that can't use either one.

You shouldn't be.

You shouldn't be sorry for asking.  Bluefire is interesting and if I didn't have previous experience with VMSpc and hadn't just bought one from Roger I would maybe consider it.  But I'm very satisfied with VMS and glad Roger is around to help us. 
I used Torque app in my LazyDaze and an Intune tuner when I had my Mustang (anyone need one?).  Both were fun.

Thanks for the support.  Helping our FT friends is the only reason I do this.

Here is another cheap BT reader for those who want to go it on their own.
Amazon.com: Tuirel Heavy Truck Bluetooth Scanner J1939/J1708 CVD-9 9-Pin... (https://amazon.com/Tuirel-Bluetooth-Scanner-Cummins-Scania/dp/B073JJQPYF/ref=pd_lutyp_crtyp_simh_6_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B073JJQPYF&pd_rd_r=89a8f7f8-c950-40c0-a893-4a6c6c6339de&pd_rd_w=9SvgN&pd_rd_wg=nNJyb&pf_rd_p=6a44b7cf-39a3-4c0a-8513-6ba7e2be5761&pf_rd_r=T2GRY2SHW230WZYGV4V4&psc=1&refRID=T2GRY2SHW230WZYGV4V4)

Been playing with Bluefire.  They say they are going to add Pid 120 (retarder temp) to the next build.  I like Bluetooth to my iPad.  I can see it's not as robust as VmsPC, but it's interesting.